Do you want to learn about the California economy and how the legalization of cannabis will affect our economy? If so, you will want to make certain you attend this meeting, as the San Ramon Valley Democratic Club welcomes Fiona Ma. Fiona is a Certified Public Tax Accountant who serves on the Board of Equalization where she is one of only two CPAs ever to serve on the Board. What does the Board do? It collects taxes, and writes tax policy. Fiona has first hand knowledge of the new cannabis industry’s effect on our tax assets, and potential problems. Make a reservation for our January 25, 2018 meeting.

The exciting news is that Fiona Ma is a candidate for California Treasurer, and she has been endorsed by California Controller Betty Yee.

As a member of the Board of Equalization, Fiona works to protect the rights of taxpayers while also ensuring that California collects its fair share of tax revenues. Prior to serving on the BOS, Fiona was elected to the California State Assembly from 2006-2012. She was the first Asian American woman to become Speaker pro Tempore of the State Assembly.

In the Assembly, Fiona authored a groundbreaking law to ban toxic chemicals, known as phthalates, in baby products statewide. Hers was the first law of its kind in the nation and became a model for the federal amendment on the same subject, authored by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein in 2008.

As Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence, Fiona wrote legislation which successfully strengthened laws that protect victims of domestic violence.

Fiona previously served as a San Francisco Supervisor. She authored the landmark Local Business Enterprise ordinance on behalf of women and minority business owners and passed legislation to tackle human trafficking.

Fiona Ma serves on the Board of CA Women Lead, and just recently she became the California State Director for the National Foundation for Women Legislators.

In her talk “The Past, Today and the Future, some of the highlights will be the economy, taxes and cannabis. How will cannabis be taxed? What effect will it have on state and local treasuries? This exciting new venture presents many new problems and benefits. Come hear Fiona Ma a rising star in California.